Lani Adeoye, a designer, divides her time between teaching at Parsons School of Design in New York City and managing her company, Studio-Lani, in Lagos, Nigeria. This week, she will curate “Craft West Africa,” an exhibition at SaloneSatellite during the Salone del Mobile fair in Milan, themed “New Craftsmanship: A New World.”
Ms. Adeoye emphasizes the significance of handmade design, stating, “I fiercely believe in this rich yet undervalued area of design.” The exhibition showcases artisans from Senegal, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, and Nigeria, presenting contemporary pieces crafted using traditional methods, such as stools and tables.
The products from Burkina Faso utilize lost-wax casting for bronze fabrication, while the Cameroonian items are hand-carved from wood. Ms. Adeoye has designed objects covered in woven materials made from dried, dyed plant stalks, traditionally used in Nigeria for mat-making.
While preparing for the exhibition in Nigeria, Ms. Adeoye visited her 88-year-old grandfather, who inspired her award-winning walker design, RemX. This walker was created to address her grandfather's discomfort with standard walkers that reminded him of his reduced autonomy, incorporating traditional Nigerian fabric and local water hyacinth.
RemX won her first prize at SaloneSatellite in 2022, recognized for its blend of functionality and elegance. Paola Antonelli, senior curator of architecture and design at the Museum of Modern Art, praised the design, emphasizing that utilitarian objects can also possess beauty.
Ms. Adeoye’s work often reflects longstanding practices and natural materials, such as her “Talking Stools,” which are upholstered with mats woven by women in Ekiti, Nigeria. The stools are inspired by the talking drum, used for communication in ceremonies, aiming to expand the mats' market applications.
Inspired by the irun kiko hair styling technique, Ms. Adeoye often incorporates cloth or fiber into her designs, connecting her childhood hobbies to her current craft. Initially pursuing a business career, she shifted to design after discovering the artistic potential of furniture at a trade show. She later graduated from Parsons in 2014 and founded Studio-Lani in 2015.
Her work has garnered recognition, including a first prize at the Launch Pad exhibition for emerging designers. Claire Pijoulat, co-founder of WantedDesign, noted Ms. Adeoye’s ability to make her design process accessible and inspiring to others, highlighting the personal narratives behind her creations.
Ms. Adeoye advocates for the transformative power of design linked to craft, aiming to elevate the narratives surrounding African contributions to the design world. She expresses frustration with media portrayals that focus on negative stereotypes, emphasizing the importance of presenting a more dignified and balanced view of African culture.
Through “Craft West Africa,” she aspires to celebrate the region's rich traditions and potential, believing that art, craft, and design can reshape perceptions and narratives.